CHAPTER NINE - WORK AND PLAY
Shigaraki had started to hate his patrols, like to the point where he dreaded going to his nightly internship at the Fourth Kind Agency. It wasn't that he didn't like the responsibility, or that he felt uncomfortable or inadequate as a hero-in-training, he was just bored - tired of the same mundane route and the absence of any real hero work.
That night was no different. Hours of walking with nothing new or exciting to report, just a couple of muggings here and a purse snatching there and that had pretty much summed it all up. It was police work, not hero work, but it was what all students were allocated before they graduated. Of course, some students got lucky and ran into trouble during their work studies coincidentally allowing them to act the hero, but Shigaraki hadn't been that fortunate.
He kicked absently at an empty soda can that had been discarded on the sidewalk, earning him a displeased look from some passersby. He ignored the glares and continued forward, leaving the littered can on the ground behind. After a dull, yet blessedly low crime night, he and Kai were officially off-duty and on their way back to the dorms after checking in and signing out at the agency.
"So, that was a huge waste of time." Kai proclaimed as he walked unassumingly beside Shigaraki.
Shigaraki snorted in response. He wasn't sure what Kai had been expecting on his first patrol but thought it involved a lot more action and adventure. Admittedly, he would have preferred that too, but it was what it was.
"Do you ever feel like all of this is not right for you?" Kai asked.
"You mean the patrols?" Shigaraki replied, "Everyone has to do it." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"No, I mean… like everything. Being a Hero, with all these ridiculous rules and restrictions." Kai elaborated, watching Shigaraki from the corner of his eye. "Why are we even trying to be heroes? It seems a lot more fun on the other side."
Shigaraki whipped his head to the side, his brows drawn tightly together as he considered Kai's line of questioning. He legitimately didn't know how to answer him. His reasons were purely logical and had nothing to do with feelings, which was probably an issue within itself - he was born into a mutated world and people with quirks were raised to become heroes. Or villains. Simple as that. Though, why he had chosen the side of good was a mystery considering his problematic and controversial childhood influences.
That lack of conviction wasn't something he was going to share with Kai, however.
"I can see it, you know." Kai began, meeting Shigaraki's disconcerted gaze. "You're not like the others."
Shigaraki scratched frantically at his neck, narrowing his eyes at his new friend.
He wanted to disagree, and he wanted to defend himself from such outlandish accusations, but he couldn't find his words, or the right ones anyway. Kai knew nothing about him, yet, he wasn't entirely wrong. For as long as he could remember, Shigaraki had felt different from his classmates - through middle and elementary school he was an outcast, someone who did not belong, and UA High hadn't changed anything except, perhaps, offered some purpose to his ambiguity.
How had he seen through Shigaraki's hardened exterior?
"So, I see." Kai muttered. He thought Shigaraki's silence spoke volumes, and it made Kai even more fascinated with the surly boy.
Kai thought it was kind of funny how easily Shigaraki had managed to get under his skin and rearrange his priorities at UA High. The violently brief introduction to Shigaraki had piqued his interest, and then the random - though unconfirmed - gossip about misconduct and nonconformity that he had picked up from other students really sealed the deal and his obsession.
Shigaraki was like the antihero of UA High. Unconventional, but heroic nonetheless? Maybe? The jury was still out on that. Kai needed to know more before there was a clear ruling because the lines between good and bad were extremely blurred.
"You know, I think we're very much alike." Kai suggested, stepping into stride with Shigaraki.
"Oh, I doubt that."
Kai snickered behind his mask. "Sure, we are. With maybe the exception of wanting to be a hero." He clarified, casually waving a gloved hand in front of him.
"Why the fuck are you at UA High then?"
"Why are you?" Kai countered.
Shigaraki shook his head. He was not in the mood for this level of honest disclosure and especially not with Kai.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It can be our little secret."
"I'm not worried." Shigaraki affirmed lowering his eyes, as far as he was concerned this topic of conversation was over.
Luckily, Kai's amusement also seemed to have faded and he dropped whatever point he was trying to make. They walked in silence for a few yards, their heavy footsteps on the pavement the only sounds accompanying them as they entered UA High grounds.
"Oh, hey." Kai suddenly exclaimed, "What are you doing Friday night?"
"Nothing." Shigaraki replied, shaking his head.
"Do you want to do something?"
"With you?"
"Yeah." Kai watched Shigaraki intently for an answer, but when he didn't get one added, "I heard you liked video games."
"Who told you that?"
"Does it matter?"
"I guess not."
"So, you do then?"
"Yes."
"See, we are alike. I play too."
Shigaraki grunted. "Having one thing in common doesn't mean we are alike, Kai."
"Mm, fine. I'll give you that. But I know it's not the only thing." He conceded. "And back to my earlier question, want to play together Friday night? We can team up in COD. Or something else? Red Dead?"
Shigaraki shifted his glance sideways, offering Kai a rare though subtle smile. Not one of the other students were interested in gaming, not like Shigaraki was. Though, to be fair, he never really asked, he just assumed. But the idea of sharing his hobby with Kai was surprisingly welcomed.
"Okay."
"Yeah? Cool, cool."
Ahead of them, the windows to the Alliance Dorm were lit up with a warm, yellow light. Most of the students would have returned from their internships by now and were probably in the common room excitedly discussing the events of the night at their respective agencies. At a jogging pace, he and Kai ascended the small set of stairs to the front doors and just as they hit the landing, a voice stopped them from entering inside.
"Look who finally made it back."
To their right, perched casually on the porch railing and leaning against a pillar for support was Dabi. He held a lit cigarette between his fingers, eyeing the other two boys suspiciously.
"Smoking on school grounds, smart." Shigaraki commented, scowling as Dabi grinned in return, lifting the smoke to his lips to take a drag.
Stupid. Hot. Zombie. Boy. Ugh. Shigaraki was both outraged and aroused.
"I never claimed to be smart." Dabi disclosed.
Beside him, Kai remained silent but Shigaraki could tell he was disgusted with Dabi's dirty habit. His forehead was creased, like he was scrunching his nose up behind his mask. The smoke didn't really bother Shigaraki, nor did the smell irritate him, but considering Kai's apparent OCD, Shigaraki understood why he would be opposed to it.
"I'm going inside." Kai muttered, clearly irked. "So, Friday night, your room or mine?"
"Mine. Bring your own gear."
"You got it." He offered Shigaraki a quick salute then turned to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Shigaraki nodded and waited until the door had closed behind Kai before he took a few steps towards Dabi.
"Got a hot date?" Dabi teased as he approached.
"Shut up." Shigaraki barked in return, pressing his back against the wall and stuffing his hands deep into his pockets, "We're just going to play some COD or something."
"I don't know what that is."
"It's a video game." Shigaraki explained, and then noticing Dabi's disinterest followed it with, "It doesn't matter. It's not a date."
Dabi regarded Shigaraki silently, a cloud of white smoke whirling from his lips and then disappearing into thin air.
"Why haven't you asked me to play COB with you?"
"It's COD. Call of Duty." Shigaraki corrected, trying desperately to repress a grin, "And I didn't think you were into that kind of stuff."
Dabi shrugged. "I'm not."
"So that's why I didn't fucking ask." He explained and then went on to correct, "Well, one of the reasons."
"Heh. I could learn to like it. For you."
"Oh, please. Don't put yourself out on my account."
Dabi's responding chuckle was deep, almost dark in nature.
"Maybe I would like it." He took another drag of his smoke,
"Seriously, aren't you in enough trouble already?" Shigaraki asked, motioning towards Dabi's cigarette - the potential detention creator.
"What's another week of after school?"
Shigaraki's brow furrowed hard. He was about to reply with something snarky, as was his custom, but something caught his attention instead and it took all words right out of his mouth. It was the edge of a white bandage peeking out from the collar of Dabi's shirt. To Shigaraki, it looked like the bandage was wrapped diagonally from his chest over his shoulder covering quite a large expanse of skin.
Noticing where Shigaraki's eyes fell, Dabi waved it off.
"It's nothing."
"It doesn't look like nothing."
Dabi butted out his cigarette and then tossed the waste in the garden behind him, disposing of it out of sight - like it had never been present in the first place. He hopped off the railing and back to his feet, his usual arrogance firmly back in place now.
"Are you concerned about my wellbeing, Mop Head?"
"Not particularly." Shigaraki replied, acting resignedly as he folded his arms collectively over his chest.
"You are a terrible liar."
"I'm not lying."
Dabi turned to glance at the door to the dorms before looking back to Shigaraki, eyes honing in on where he stood. He still looked so uncomfortable and so self-aware of being alone with Dabi - it was almost painful to watch.
"What?" Shigaraki demanded after a few seconds of silence and the boys continued staring.
"Nothing." Dabi drawled, the corner of his mouth kicking up into an amused grin. The heat of Shigaraki's blush was warming at the intensity of his stare.
"God I fucking missed you." Dabi murmured, taking a cautious step closer.
"We were literally in class together all day, idiot." Shigaraki replied gruffly, though he didn't try to move away which was progress.
"That's not how I mean."
Shigaraki sucked in a small breath when Dabi reached him, long fingers curling around the drawstrings of his hoodie. He tugged firmly encouraging Shigaraki forward.
"I'm going to kiss you now." Dabi whispered, taking a final step closer. "Don't hurt me."
"Fine. But make it quick." He grumbled, shoulders stiff, cheeks flushing further. Dabi grinned, accepting his conflicting behaviour out of familiarity. Shigaraki's mouth often said yes while his body said no, or at least, a very reluctant maybe. Persistence was key.
Dabi grinned and tilted his head, shadow falling across Shigaraki's upturned face. He lifted his hand to cup Shigaraki's cheek and settled his mouth gently over Shigaraki's pursed lips. Shigaraki dropped his arms helplessly to his side in response, his defensive stand forgotten. He curled his restless fingers, hands balling up into tights fists surrendering to the kiss.
Emboldened by his crush's assent, Dabi swept his fingers slowly over Shigaraki's jawline and felt the boy shiver against him, lips parting in anticipation of Dabi's invading tongue. This was how their kisses always began, slow and sweet, Dabi taking the lead, Shigaraki passively following him in the motions. But once Dabi's tongue slid inside his mouth, deepening the kiss, the rest of Shigaraki's body was not quite so subdued. He unconsciously took a slight step closer, slender body pressing closer to Dabi.
Dabi moaned his approval against Shigaraki's mouth, fingers sliding back into the boys messy yet incredibly soft hair. When they broke off ten seconds later, gasping for breath, Shigaraki held a shaky hand up.
Dabi paused, his lips an inch from Shigaraki's palm, and three inches from Shigaraki's flushed mouth.
"That's it?" Dabi frowned, petting the other boy with reverence.
"I said to make it quick."
"But don't you feel better now?"
Shigaraki blushed, refusing to answer.
"Okay. Understood." Dabi yielded, trying not to look too wistful, and he carefully lowered the other boys threatening hand, "There was something I wanted to talk to you about anyway." Dabi breathed, fingers slowly combing through Shigaraki's hair. When he didn't reply, Dabi continued, "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Well, it's my birthday next week."
"Congratulations."
Dabi's eyes lit up with amusement.
"I'm having a party on the weekend, at my parent's place. They will be out of town so..."
Shigaraki scowled, knowing exactly where this was going, but hoping by some miracle he was wrong.
"Will you come?"
"No."
"Please? I want you to come."
"I don't like parties." Shigaraki grumbled, scratching his blunt nails up and down the side of his neck.
"But you like me." Dabi said leaning forward and stealing another quick kiss before Shigaraki could object to it.
"Tch." Shigaraki grunted, head tilting away.
"Come on. Everyone will be there."
"Everyone?"
"Yes." Dabi snickered.
"What does that mean?"
"I'm inviting everyone from Third Year."
"Why?"
"Hm. Because parties are better with a lot of people.
"That's debatable."
"How about a party of two then? You and me."
"Definitely not."
"Just come to the party. I won't have any fun without you." Dabi pleaded, almost pouting.
Shigaraki scoffed. "Oh, please. What kind of guilt trip is that?"
Dabi tried desperately to repress a grin. "Hopefully an effective one."
"Will that idiot bird be there?"
"He's my best friend, Mop Head, so yeah, he'll be there." Dabi rationalized.
"I will trade his presence for my presence."
"That's unreasonable, no deal." Dabi shook his head, thumb brushing gently over the high point on Shigaraki's cheek.
"Whatever. It's a maybe. And only if Kurogiri is interested. Then I will think about it." Shigaraki said, hoping that his best-friends mutual dislike of Dabi was enough to ignore an invite. It was highly probable.
"I will bribe him if I have too."